Optical disk drive

ABSTRACT

In order to simplify the management of a part and the management of a unit and improving productivity in an assembly process of a disk drive upon producing various types of optical disk drives, an optical disk drive according to the present invention has a basic unit, which is configured as a result that a turntable, a first motor for rotationally driving the turntable, an optical pickup, a pickup drive mechanism, and a second motor  4  capable of supplying a drive power to said pickup drive mechanism are mounted on a traverse base, and an additional part unit, which is configured attachably and detachably with respect to the basic unit, comprising a drive base for supporting the traverse base swingably in a vertical direction, a disk loading mechanism, a loading drive mechanism, and a drive power transfer path switching mechanism, wherein the optical disk drive can alternately select a usage condition from among a first usage condition independently using the basic unit and a second usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical disk drive (hereinafter appropriately referred to as simply a disk drive) for recording a data signal and/or reproducing a data signal recorded to an optical disk (hereinafter appropriately referred to as simply a disk) used as a data storage medium such as what is called a CD (Compact Disc) or what is called a DVD (Digital Video Disk or Digital Versatile Disk).

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As the above-mentioned disk drive for recording a data signal and/or reproducing a data signal recorded to a disk used as a data storage medium, for example, a disk drive that has an opening on the front panel through which a disk tray opens and closes, and after the tray is opened and a disk is loaded onto the tray, the tray is automatically retracted into a predetermined position (a mounted position onto the turn table) in the disk drive is well known.

[0003] In such a type of disk drive, when a disk is loaded into this type of disk drive it is held between the turntable and a clamp and driven at a specific rotational speed so that data signals recorded to the disk can be read by the disk drive, that is recording or reproducing apparatus, during a read operation, for example. More specifically, signals are recorded to tracks within a specific area of the disk, and an optical pickup for signal reading is driven according to the track address of the desired signal so that the desired signal can be reproduced.

[0004] This type of disk drive has following three basic operations that require drive motor power: disk loading whereby the tray is driven in two directions between a disk loading/unloading position outside the disk drive at which a disk can be placed on or removed from the tray, and a loading/unloading position inside the disk drive at which the disk is loaded to or unloaded from the turntable; disk driving whereby the turntable is driven to spin a disk; and pickup driving whereby an optical pickup is driven primarily between positions at the outside circumference and inside circumference of the disk.

[0005] Conventionally, typical disk drives have also used, separate motors (that is, three individual motors) as the drive source for these three operations.

[0006] Concerning to this problem, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 3-49682 (hereinafter referred to as prior art 1), for example, a disk player (disk drive) is suggested, that reduces the number of required motors to two by driving a single loading motor in forward and reverse directions for disk loading and unloading, disk chucking, and pickup drive.

[0007] A constitution according to the prior art 1 typically comprises a case and a chassis substantially integrated with the case, a turntable and a drive motor thereof are fixed to the chassis. That is, because the vertical position of the turntable is fixed, the disk must be moved vertically for disk loading and unloading in order to avoid interference with the turntable. In addition, the damper side (chucking plate) must be driven vertically in order to clamp (settle) the disk to the turntable.

[0008] Therefore, in the disk drive according to the prior art 1, a disk holder for lifting the disk from the disk holding surface of the tray is provided, and rotating up or down the disk holder timed to the tray movement, thereby interference between the disk and turntable during disk loading and unloading is to be avoided. A chucking plate is further provided, that is supported by the fixed chassis through a chucking arm, so that the chucking plate can rotate and move vertically. And, the chucking plate is rotated up or down according to the disk loading and unloading timing to either clamp the disk to the turntable or to release the disk. Drive construction and operating the component parts are thus quite complicated and disadvantageous with respect to simplifying drive construction and achieving good stable operation.

[0009] Furthermore, all drive parts other than the tray and associated drive system are also provided on the fixed chassis in the disk drive according to the prior art 1. In addition, these parts are rigidly attached or supported on the fixed chassis. As a result, any impact, shock, or vibration to which the disk player is exposed is also transmitted directly from the fixed chassis to the various rigidly attached drive parts. These parts are thus easily susceptible to major damage. This design is therefore disadvantageous with respect to improving the durability of the disk drive to the effects of external forces, that is, resistance to shock and vibration.

[0010] Rigid attachment of these components to the fixed chassis also makes it necessary to extremely precisely position these components relative to each other. Extremely high precision is therefore required in both parts manufacture and assembly. When the need to mass-produce these components is considered, this need for extremely high precision is disadvantageous with respect to increasing productivity.

[0011] Considering these problems of the prior art, the applicant of this application has suggested, in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-23833 (hereinafter referred to as prior art 2), an optical disk drive having a basic constitution that has a drive base comprising a base frame of the disk drive, and a second base member (traverse base) separate from the drive base and supported to move or swing vertically relative to the first base, and has disposed thereto the turntable and a first motor for rotationally driving the turntable, and the optical pickup and pickup drive mechanism. This optical disk drive is able to reduce the number of motors used for drive operation, simplify the construction, improve the durability against shock and vibration, and improve the productivity.

[0012] According to this optical disk drive, the traverse base is supported by the drive base, through floating bushes at right and left two portion of one end side, and through a gear (cam gear) supported by a floating collar and a floating spring at the other end side, in a manner enabling the traverse base to float (in a floating state) within specific limits (that is, within the flexibility limits of the floating bush, the floating collar and the floating spring. It is to be noted that the above-mentioned two floating bushes also have a supporting function for supporting the traverse base to move or swing vertically relative to the drive base.

[0013] That is, the traverse base is not supported by a rigid construction (rigidly) on the drive base, but is instead supported so as to float on the drive base within limits determined by the flexibility of the damping members (the floating bush, the floating collar and the floating spring). As a result, strong shocks or vibrations to which the optical disk drive is exposed can be absorbed by the damping members, and thus prevented from being transferred directly from the drive base to drive parts on the traverse base. This means that the durability of the disk drive can be improved with respect to shock and vibration.

[0014] Furthermore, by supporting the second base so that it can float on the first base within the range of damping member flexibility, it is possible to adjust the relative positions of components on the first base and second base within the floating range of the second base. Compared with a conventional disk drive in which the components are supported by a rigid construction (rigidly), it is therefore possible to require less precision in parts manufacture and assembly, and productivity can therefore be improved in the manufacturing process.

[0015] In the meantime, as is generally known, there are various types in a configuration of a disk drive for recording a data signal to a disk as a data storage medium and/or for reproducing the data signal that is recorded in the disk.

[0016] For example, in the case of the above-described disk drives according to the prior arts 1, 2, not only a mechanism having a basic unction for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as an optical pickup, a pickup drive mechanism and a rotation mechanism of a turntable or the like, but also a disk loading mechanism for moving a disk between a loading position above the turntable and an unloading position outside of the apparatus are incorporated in one integral unit and as a result, a disk drive is configured.

[0017] However, depending on a type of the disk drive, a mechanism other than the mechanism having the above-described basic function, for example, the above-described disk loading mechanism or the like may be remarkably made complicated.

[0018] For example, on a disk drive having so-called changer function, whereby a data signal is reproduced and/or recorded as sequentially counterchanging a plurality of disks, the above-described disk loading mechanism is also inevitably made complicated.

[0019] In such a case, it is very difficult to integrally incorporate a mechanism having a basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal and a disk loading mechanism so as to compose one disk drive as the above mentioned prior arts 1, 2.

[0020] Accordingly, in this case, a disk drive is configured by one unit including a mechanism having the above-described basic function, and aside from this, an external mechanism provided with the disk loading function is disposed, so that the both of them are used in a combination.

[0021] In this case, loading and unloading of the disk may be carried out by using motive energy of the external mechanism.

[0022] In addition, as other type of disk drive, so-called disk drive of a hop up system is known that an upper part of a turntable is covered with an openable and closable lid, and after opening this lid, the disk is set and ejected. In the case of such a disk drive of the hop up system, generally, the disk is set on and ejected from the turntable by hand, so that an automatic disk loading mechanism is not necessary. Accordingly, in this case, basically, only a unit provided with a mechanism having the above-described basic function of an optical disk drive is necessary.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the case that various types of disk drive having different configurations as described above are required to be manufactured, conventionally, necessary mechanism parts are prepared for each type, respectively. Further, depending on the circumstances, these mechanism parts are partially unitized and these are assembled to compose a disk drive. However, a main configuration of each type of a disk drive is different, respectively, and has no character in common, so that the management of the parts and the management of the units are made very complicated and further, it is also difficult to increase productivity in an assembly process for assembling the disk drive.

[0024] Therefore, the present invention is made with the basic object of simplifying management of parts and management of units and increasing productivity in an assembly process for assembling an optical disk drive by standardizing a unit provided with a mechanism having a basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as an optical pickup, a pickup drive mechanism and a rotation mechanism of a turntable or the like upon manufacturing various types of optical disk drives having different configurations.

[0025] Therefore, an optical disk drive according to the invention set forth in claim 1 of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as a first invention) has a basic unit, which is configured as a result that a turntable for rotatably supporting an optical disk; a first motor for rotationally driving the turntable; an optical pickup for writing a data signal to an optical disk rotating on the turntable and/or reading a data signal recorded to the optical disk; a pickup drive mechanism for moving the optical pickup bidirectionally between the inside circumference side and outside circumference side of the optical disk; and a second motor capable of supplying drive power to the pickup drive mechanism are mounted on a part base; wherein the basic unit includes an attachment portion for detachably attaching a gear mechanism for engaging an additional part unit to the basic unit, and the additional part unit comprises a drive base for supporting the part base movably or swingably in a vertical direction; a disk loading mechanism for moving the optical disk bidirectionally between a first position above the turntable and a second position outside the disk drive; a loading drive mechanism for driving the disk loading mechanism by a drive power of the second motor; and a drive power transfer path switching mechanism for switching a drive power transfer path of the second motor between a path transferring power to the loading drive mechanism and a path transferring power to the pickup drive mechanism.

[0026] According to this constitution, the basic unit is configured as a result that the turntable, the first motor for rotationally driving the turntable, the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism, and the second motor capable of supplying drive power to the foregoing pickup drive mechanism are mounted on the part base. Further, this basic unit is provided with the attachment portion for detachably attaching the gear mechanism for engaging the additional part unit capable of detachably attaching to the basic unit, and the additional part unit may include the drive base, the disk loading mechanism, the loading drive mechanism, and the drive power transfer path switching mechanism. Accordingly, by attaching and detaching the above-described gear mechanism to this attachment portion, the optical disk drive can alternately select a usage condition from among a usage condition independently using the basic unit and a usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other. In the usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other, the above-described part base is supported movably or swingably in a vertical direction with regard to the drive base.

[0027] In addition, an optical disk drive according to the invention set forth in claim 2 of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as a second invention) has a basic unit, which is configured as a result that a turntable for rotatably supporting an optical disk; a first motor for rotationally driving the turntable; an optical pickup for writing a data signal to an optical disk rotating on the turntable and/or reading a data signal recorded to the optical disk; a pickup drive mechanism for moving the optical pickup bidirectionally between the inside circumference side and outside circumference side of the optical disk; and a second motor capable of supplying drive power to the pickup drive mechanism are mounted on a part base; and an additional part unit, which is configured detachably with regard to the basic unit, comprising a drive base for supporting the part base movably or swingably in a vertical direction; a disk loading mechanism for moving the optical disk bidirectionally between a first position above the turntable and a second position outside the disk drive; a loading drive mechanism for driving the disk loading mechanism by a drive power of the second motor; and a drive power transfer path switching mechanism for switching a drive power transfer path of the second motor between a path transferring power to the loading drive mechanism and a path transferring power to the pickup drive mechanism; wherein the optical disk drive can alternately select a usage condition from among a first usage condition independently using the basic unit and a second usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other.

[0028] According to this constitution, the basic unit configured as a result that the turntable, the first motor for rotationally driving the turntable, the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism, and the second motor capable of supplying drive power to the foregoing pickup drive mechanism are mounted on the part base; and the additional part unit, which is configured detachably with regard to the basic unit, having the drive base, the disk loading mechanism, the loading drive mechanism, and the drive power transfer path switching mechanism. Further, the optical disk drive can alternately select a usage condition from among a first usage condition independently using the basic unit and a second usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other. In the second usage condition, the above-described part base is supported movably or swingably in a vertical direction with regard to the-drive base.

[0029] In addition, in the invention set forth in claim 3 of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as a third invention), according to the above-described first and second inventions, the second motor comprises a motor rotatable in forward and reverse directions; under the usage condition that the basic unit is solely used, the optical pickup is driven bidirectionally by rotating the second motor in a first rotation direction and in its reversed direction; and under the usage condition that the basic unit and the additional part unit are built with each other, by continuously rotating the second motor in a first rotation direction, the mobile operation of the optical pickup, the raising and lowering operation of the turntable, and the mobile operation of the optical disk are substantially continued in this order or by continuously rotating the second motor in a direction reversed to the first rotation direction, these respective operations are substantially continued in the reversed direction to the above and in the reversed order to the above.

[0030] According to this constitution, under the usage condition of solely using the above-described basic unit, by rotating one motor (the second motor) in forward direction (the first rotation direction) and its reverse directions, the optical pickup is moved bidirectionally. In addition, under the usage condition that the basic unit and the above-described additional part unit are built with each other, by rotating one motor (the second motor) in a forward direction (a first rotation direction) or its reversed direction continuously, the mobile operation of the optical pickup, the raising and lowering operation of the turntable, and the mobile operation of the disk are substantially continued in this order or they are substantially continued in the reversed direction and in the reversed order.

[0031] In addition, in the invention set forth in claim 4 of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as a fourth invention), according to any one of the above-described first to third inventions, the pickup drive mechanism comprises a feed rack for moving an optical pickup, and a rack drive gear set comprising a plurality of gears for driving the feed rack, the feed rack being movable to a specific position farther to the inside circumference side after moving the optical pickup to an inside circumference edge position of the data signal recording area of the optical disk, under the usage condition that the basic unit and the additional part unit are built with each other, engaging the drive power transfer path switching mechanism by moving the feed rack to this specific position at the inside circumference side and thereby switching second motor drive power transfer path from a path to the pickup drive mechanism to a path to the loading drive mechanism, and switching the second motor drive power transfer path from a path to the loading drive mechanism to a path to the pickup drive mechanism by moving from the specific position at the inside circumference side to the outside circumference side of the disk and thereby disengaging from the drive power transfer path switching mechanism.

[0032] According to this constitution, the feed rack is moved to a specific position farther to the inside circumference side after moving the optical pickup to an inside circumference edge position of the data signal recording area of the disk or the feed rack is moved from this specific position to the outside circumference side of the disk, and thereby, the drive power transfer path of the drive power of the second motor is switched.

[0033] In addition, in the invention set forth in claim 5 of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as a fifth invention), according to any one of the above-described first to fourth inventions, under the usage condition that the basic unit and the additional part unit are built with each other, the part base is disposed inside an opening in the drive base, and vertically swingably supported around one end thereof relative to the drive base; the drive base comprises thereon a cam gear disposed near an other end side of the part base, the cam gear having on an outside surface thereof a cam channel for raising and lowering the other end of the part base; and the loading drive mechanism comprises a loading drive gear set containing a plurality of gears including a final output gear; the final output gear of the loading drive gear set engaging an outside teeth part of the cam gear to rotate the cam gear and thereby raise or lower the other side of the part base.

[0034] According to this constitution, under the usage condition that the basic unit and the additional part unit are built with each other, the cam gear is rotated by the drive power transferred from the loading drive gear set, the other side of the part base is raised or lowered, and thereby the part is rotated around the one end thereof in a vertical direction with regard to a first base.

[0035] In addition, in the invention set forth in claim 6 of the present application in the invention set forth in the present claim 6 (hereinafter, referred to as a sixth invention), according to any one of the above-described first to fifth inventions, the part base is vertically swingably supported relative to the drive base through the intermediate base, which is located between the part base and the drive base.

[0036] According to this constitution, the intermediate base is swingably supported in the vertical direction with respect to the drive base, and the above-described part base is supported with respect to this intermediate base, so that it is possible to support the swing operation in the vertical direction with respect to the drive base and to support the part base separately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037]FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the assembled optical disk drive in a second usage condition according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the disk drive;

[0039]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of parts of FIG. 2;

[0040]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of parts of FIG. 2;

[0041]FIG. 5 is a plan view of an assembled state of the traverse base and drive base of the optical disk drive;

[0042]FIG. 6 is a partial side section view showing a typical support structure holding the traverse base to the drive base;

[0043]FIG. 7 is a typical partial side section view showing the traverse base inclined to the drive base;

[0044]FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section view of the floating bushing fit to the traverse base;

[0045]FIG. 9 is one of plan views showing the operation of a drive mechanism in the optical disk drive;

[0046]FIG. 10 is one of plan views showing the operation of the drive mechanism;

[0047]FIG. 11 is one of plan views showing the operation of the drive mechanism;

[0048]FIG. 12 is one of plan views showing the operation of the drive mechanism;

[0049]FIG. 13 is one of plan views showing the operation of the drive mechanism;

[0050]FIG. 14 is a sequence of enlarged plan views showing the drive power transfer path switching operation of the drive mechanism in above optical disk drive;

[0051]FIG. 15 is a sequence of enlarged plan views showing the drive power transfer path switching operation of the drive mechanism in the optical disk drive;

[0052]FIG. 16 is a sequence of enlarged plan views showing the drive power transfer path switching operation of the drive mechanism in the optical disk drive;

[0053]FIG. 17 is a sequence of enlarged plan views showing the drive power transfer path switching operation of the drive mechanism in the optical disk drive;

[0054]FIG. 18 is a sequence of enlarged plan views showing the drive power transfer path switching operation of the drive mechanism in the optical disk drive;

[0055]FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view showing the engagement of the tray and tray drive gear;

[0056]FIG. 20 is a plan view of the optical disk drive with the tray stored inside the drive;

[0057]FIG. 21 is a plan view of the optical disk drive with the tray moved outside the drive;

[0058]FIG. 22 is an enlarged plan view showing the disk clamping mechanism of the optical disk drive;

[0059]FIG. 23 is a section view through line Y23-Y23 in FIG. 22;

[0060]FIG. 24 is a plan view of the cam gear of this drive mechanism;

[0061]FIG. 25 is a side section view through line Y25-Y25 in FIG. 24;

[0062]FIG. 26 is a side section view through line Y26-Y26 in FIG. 24;

[0063]FIG. 27 is a side section view through line Y27-Y27 in FIG. 24;

[0064]FIG. 28 is a side section view through line Y28-Y28 in FIG. 24;

[0065]FIG. 29 is a partial vertical section view showing the tooth profile of the cam gear;

[0066]FIG. 30 is a plan view of the feed rack of the drive mechanism;

[0067]FIG. 31 is a side section view of the feed rack through line Y31-Y31 in FIG. 30;

[0068]FIG. 32 is a back view of the feed rack;

[0069]FIG. 33 is a section view of the feed rack through line Y33-Y33 in FIG. 30;

[0070]FIG. 34 is a section view of the feed rack through line Y34-Y34 in FIG. 30;

[0071]FIG. 35 is a section view of the trigger lever through line Y35-Y35 in FIG. 36;

[0072]FIG. 36 is a plan view of the trigger lever of the drive mechanism;

[0073]FIG. 37 is a vertical section view of the trigger lever through line Y37-Y37 in FIG. 36;

[0074]FIG. 38 is a plan view of a rocker lever of the drive mechanism;

[0075]FIG. 39 is a side view of the rocker lever through line Y39-Y39 in FIG. 38;

[0076]FIG. 40 is a side view of the rocker lever through line Y40-Y40 in FIG. 38;

[0077]FIG. 41 is a side view of the rocker lever through line Y41-Y41 in FIG. 42;

[0078]FIG. 42 is a plan view of the rocker lever of the drive mechanism;

[0079]FIG. 43 is a side view of the rocker lever through line Y43-Y43 in FIG. 42;

[0080]FIG. 44A is a schematic view of a damper for explaining a basic principal of a disk clamping mechanism of the disk drive;

[0081]FIG. 44B is a partially sectional view showing a pinching and holding condition of the disk by the disk clamping mechanism;

[0082]FIG. 45A is one of partially enlarged sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the damper for explaining a basic principal of the disk clamping mechanism;

[0083]FIG. 45B is one of partially enlarged sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the clamper;

[0084]FIG. 45C is one of partially enlarged sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the clamper;

[0085]FIG. 46A is one of sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the damper for explaining a basic principal of the disk clamping mechanism;

[0086]FIG. 46B is one of sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the clamper;

[0087]FIG. 46C is one of sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the clamper;

[0088]FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing a basic constitution of the disk clamping mechanism of the disk drive;

[0089]FIG. 48A is one of partially enlarged sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the damper for explaining a basic principal of the disk clamping mechanism;

[0090]FIG. 48B is one of partially enlarged sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the clamper;

[0091]FIG. 48C is one of partially enlarged sectional views in series showing a disk clamping operation of the clamper;

[0092]FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the disk drive showing an installed state of gears to the traverse base;

[0093]FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the disk drive showing an installed state of gears to the traverse base in a first usage condition; and

[0094]FIG. 51 is a vertical sectional view of the disk drive showing an installed state of a pickup guide and an earth mechanism of the pickup.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0095] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. As described in detail later, an optical disk drive (hereinafter, simply referred to as a disk drive or simply referred to as a drive) according to the present embodiment may correspond to two usage conditions, namely, a first usage condition that a mechanism having a basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as an optical pickup, a pickup drive mechanism and a rotation mechanism of a turntable or the like is mounted on a base member for installing a part to configure a unit body (hereinafter, this is referred to as a basic unit) and this basic unit is independently used; and a second usage condition that not only the above-described basic unit, but also the other mechanism including a disk loading mechanism for moving a disk between a loading position above the turntable and an unloading position outside of the drive are incorporated in one integral unit, and depending on the application of the disk drive, any of the usage conditions is alternatively selected to be used.

[0096]FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the assembled optical disk drive (hereinafter referred to as disk drive or simply drive) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the disk drive shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged views of parts of FIG. 2. It is to be noted that the assembled state shown in FIG. 1 is to illustrate an optical disk drive according to this preferred embodiment used in a second usage condition.

[0097] As will be known from these figures, an optical disk drive 1 according to this preferred embodiment comprises a drive base 10 as the installation base for major components of the drive 1, a traverse base 20 as the support base for supporting the major part of the disk drive's drive mechanism, and more preferably, a intermediate base 80 disposed between the two base members 10, 20.

[0098] The overall shape of the drive base 10 and the intermediate base 80 are substantially square frames when seen in plan view. The intermediate base 80 is assembled to an internal space 10H in the drive base 10, further, the traverse base 20 is assembled to an internal space 80H in the intermediate base 80.

[0099] It should be noted that the drive base 10, traverse base 20 and the intermediate base correspond respectively to the first base, second base and intermediate base in the accompanying claims. It should be also noted that the drive base 10 and traverse base 20 are not necessary for an application corresponding to the first usage condition and not used in such a case.

[0100] A disc used as the data storage medium, such as a Digital Versatile Disc (what is called DVD), is placed on a tray 55 in this disk drive 1. The tray 55 transports a disk placed thereon bidirectionally along the frame of drive base 10. The path of the tray 55 is diagonal as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. Thus, when a disk is removed from inside the disk drive 1, that is, is ejected, the tray 55 travels diagonally downward to the left as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and when the disk is loaded (is inserted) from outside into the disk drive 1, the tray 55 travels diagonally upward to the right as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0101] It should be noted that the side of the disk drive 1 from which the disk, that is, the tray 55, is removed from inside the disk drive 1 (the diagonal lower left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) is hereafter referred to as the front of the drive 1, and the side of the drive 1 to which the disk is inserted (the diagonal upper right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) is hereafter referred to as the back of the drive 1. The top and bottom of the drive 1 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 are also referred to hereafter as the top and bottom sides.

[0102] A pair of right and left intermediate base support portions 11 are disposed at the back of the drive base 10 (at the top right in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). Shafts 81 are disposed to protrude from both side of the rear end of the intermediate base 80 respectively. Each of the intermediate base support portions 11 is formed to a semicircular notch opens upwardly. The shafts 81 are fit into right and left intermediate base support portions 11 respectively, thereby, the back of the intermediate base 80 is supported such that it can pivot in a vertical direction to the drive base 10 centering on a horizontal line Lh (see FIG. 5) between the centers of the right and left intermediate base support portions 11 (that is, between centers of the right and left shaft 81).

[0103] It is to be noted that a bias mechanism urges the shaft 81 to the support portion 11 is provided at an outer vicinity, for example, of each intermediate base support portions 11, so as to prevent the shaft 81 fit into the support portion 11 from coming off.

[0104] A groove 13 (positioning groove) is formed on an inner periphery of the front portion of the drive base 10. While, a protruding piece 82 (positioning protruding piece) is provided, at a corresponding portion to the positioning groove 13, on the front end of the intermediate base 80. The protruding piece 82 is fit into the positioning groove 13, thereby, the intermediate base 80 is positioned accurately to the drive base 10 in the right and left direction, further, vibration of the intermediate base 80 and the drive base 10 in the right and left direction is restrained.

[0105] A notch 21 is formed respectively at each back corner and a front corner of the traverse base 20. While, A catch 89 (bushing catch) corresponding to the notch 21 is provided respectively at each back inner right and left corner and a front inner corner of the intermediate base 80. An elastic, typically rubber, bushing 29 (floating bushing) is fit into each notch 21, thereafter, a settle shaft 29S inserts into the bushing 29 is fit and fixed to the bushing catch 89. Thereby, the traverse base 20 is supported by means of three bushings 29 so that the traverse base 20 can float (is supported in a floating condition) relative to the intermediate base 80 within a specific range (that is, within the flexibility of the bushings 29).

[0106] As shown in detail in FIG. 8, the bushings 29 are an integral hollow body molding with open both ends. Each bushing 29 also has relatively large diameter first and second damping parts 29 a and 29 b in sequence along the long axis of the bushing 29, and a relatively small diameter fitting part 29 c between the two damping parts.

[0107] This fitting part 29 c thus forms a constricted neck between damping parts 29 a and 29 b, and is the part that is fit to the traverse base 20 to be supported in a floating state by the floating bushings 29. More specifically, the bushing 29 is installed to a notch 21 of the traverse base 20 by fitting the outside circumference of the fitting part 29 c into the hole part of a bushing mounting plate 21 b in the notch 21.

[0108] And, the lower end of the floating bushing 29 is contacted or approached to an upper surface 89 f (bushing support surface) of the bushing catch 89, then, a fixing hole 89 h formed in the bushing catch 89 and an opening of the floating bushing 29 is positioned each other. Thereafter, the fixing shaft 29S is inserted into the hollow inside of the bushing 29, and the top of the fixing shaft is fit into the settle hole 89 h of the bushing catch 89. Thereby, the floating bushing 29 is fixed between a head 29T of the fixing shaft 29S and the bushing support surface 89 f.

[0109] That is, the floating bushing 29 installed in the notch 21 of the traverse base 20 is fixed to the bushing catch 89 of the intermediate base 80. As described above, the traverse base 20 is supported (in a floating condition) by the intermediate base through the three floating bushings 29.

[0110] Preferably, the traverse base 20 is assembled to the intermediate base 80 by way of bushings 29 such that the terminal part of the second damping part 29 b contacts bushing support surface 89 f with a certain flexibility when in a normal state wherein only the normal weight of the traverse base 20 and components mounted thereon acts on the bushings 29.

[0111] When vibration is applied to the disk drive 1 when the drive 1 is in use in the second usage condition or during manufacture and vibrating force is thus applied causing relative movement between the drive base 10 and traverse base 20, the damping action accompanying compressive deformation within the flexibility limits of the second damping part 29b effectively absorbs vibration components from the downward movement (that is, in the direction in which the bushing mounting plate 21 b approaches the bushing support surface 89 f) of the traverse base 20.

[0112] It should be noted that contact between the terminal end of the second damping part 29 b and the bushing support surface 89 f in this normal state is not necessarily a prerequisite for achieving this vibration damping effect from the second damping part 29 b. A gap between this terminal end and the bushing support surface 10 f simply reduces the vibration damping effect an amount equivalent to the gap, and when the relative movement between the intermediate base 80 and traverse base 20 exceeds this gap, the vibration damping effect is equivalent to how much this relative movement exceeds the gap.

[0113] When the traverse base 20 moves downward, the bushing mounting plate 21 b moves away from the head 29T of fixing shaft 29S. If the upper end of the first fitting part 29 a is fixed to the head 29T of fixing shaft 29S by adhesive, for example, the first damping part 29 a is stretched and deformed within its flexibility limit. Vibration can therefore be absorbed both by the damping effect of the stretch deformation of the first damping part 29 a and the damping effect of the compressive deformation of second damping part 29 b. Extremely effective vibration absorption can thus be achieved.

[0114] Vibration components whereby the back of the traverse base 20 moves upward (that is, such that the bushing mounting plate 21 b moves closer to the head 29T of fixing shaft 29S) can be effectively absorbed by the damping effect accompanying the compressive deformation of the first damping part 29 a within the flexibility limits of the first damping part 29 a.

[0115] When the traverse base 20 moves upward, the bushing mounting plate 21 b moves away from the bushing support surface 89f of the intermediate base 80. If the lower end of the second fitting part 29 b is fixed to the bushing support surface 89 f by adhesive, for example, the second damping part 29 b is stretched and deformed within its flexibility limit. Vibration can therefore be absorbed both by the damping effect of the stretch deformation of the second damping part 29 b and the damping effect of the compressive deformation of the first damping part 29 a. Extremely effective vibration absorption can thus be achieved.

[0116] Lateral vibration components parallel to the base surface, such as vibration components in the front-back direction or side to side direction of the traverse base 20, are absorbed by lateral deformation of the floating bushing 29 within its flexibility limit.

[0117] The floating bushing 29 thus comprises first and second damping parts 29 a and 29 b, and the fitting parts 29 c. It is therefore possible to provide a simple, space-saving, low cost floating -means that can support the entire weight of the traverse base 20, and effectively absorb vibration while preventing the traverse base 20 from slipping vertically out of place, when the traverse base 20 vibrates.

[0118] As will also be known from FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a recess 12 of which the shape of the perimeter is part of a circle is formed at the front edge part of internal space 10H in drive base 10. A spindle 12 s is vertically disposed in the bottom center of this recess 12. The center boss 31 of a substantially cylindrical cam gear 30 is fit so that it can rotate freely on this spindle 12 s. The center boss 31 of the cam gear 30 is passed over the spindle 12 s, and a screw member 37 (stop screw) is screwed through a flexible collar 38 (floating collar) into the end of the spindle 12 s.

[0119] The cam gear 30 is therefore housed in recess 12 of drive base 10 with the top and bottom held between elastic members 38 and 39, that is, the top held by the floating collar 38. As a result, the cam gear 30 is supported on the drive base 10 in a manner enabling the cam gear 30 to float (in a floating state) within specific limits, that is, within a range (that is, within the flexibility limits of the floating collar 38).

[0120] It should be noted that the floating bushing 29 and floating collar 38 shall not be limited to rubber materials. For example, a soft resin or other suitable material with a specific flexibility can be alternatively used.

[0121] In the embodiment, more preferably, the elastic property of the floating support mechanism of the traverse base 20 is set so that vibration input into the traverse base 20 from outside is effectively absorbed and vibration generated by rotation of turn table 5 is effectively restrained. For example, a material of relatively low elasticity (that is, relatively hard; compared with that in the prior art 2) is selected as the material of the floating bushing 29 and floating collar 38 is selected.

[0122] The cam gear 30 is described in detail next with reference to FIGS. 24 to 29. The cam gear 30 comprises on its outside surface a plurality of teeth 30 g (external teeth) parallel to the long axis Lg of the cam gear 30, and a cam channel 33 having top and bottom horizontal channels 33 a and 33 c, and diagonal channel 33 b.

[0123] There is also a smooth part 34 in which there are no teeth 30 g on the outside surface of the cam gear 30. A protrusion 80P for slideably engaging the cam channel 33 is also provided at the front edge of the intermediate base 80 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). This protrusion 80P engages the cam channel 33 to support the front of the intermediate base 80 by way of cam gear 30 on the drive base 10.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the intermediate base 80 is thus supported, at the back by way of right and left shaft 81 and the intermediate base support 11, to swing vertically on the drive base 10.

[0125] And the front portion of the intermediate base 80 is supported by way of the protrusion 80P and the corn groove 33 of cam gear 30 so that it floats (in a floating state) within a specific limit (that is, within the flexibility limits of the floating collar 38) on the drive base 10. Furthermore, the intermediate base 80 is positioned to the drive base 10 in right and left direction by the above-mentioned positioning protruding piece 82 fits into the positioning groove 13 provided to drive base 10.

[0126] The traverse base 20 is thus supported, at the both back corner and a front corner by way of the floating bushing 29 so that it floats (in a floating state) within a specific limit (that is, within the flexibility limits of the floating bushing 29 and the floating collar 38) on the intermediate base 80.

[0127] Note that the front portion of the traverse base 20 engages with the intermediate base 80, as explained later, by a regulating rod 75 s fits into a positioning hole 83 of the intermediate base 80. And, in this engagement state, the traverse base 20 is combined with the intermediate base 80 at 4 portions totally.

[0128] The traverse base 20 is thus not supported by rigid construction (rigidly) on the intermediate base 80 (therefore, on the drive base 10), but is supported so that it can float (in a floating state) on the drive base 10 within the range of the flexibility of the supporting damping members (the floating bushing 29 or the floating collar 38 additionally), through the intermediate base 80. The damping members 29, 38 can therefore absorb an impact, shock, or vibration applied to the disk drive 1, thereby preventing the force of the impact or vibration from being directly transmitted from the drive base 10 to components on the traverse base 20. As a result, a disk drive 1 with improved durability and resistance to impact and vibration can be achieved.

[0129] Furthermore, by supporting the traverse base 20 so that it floats on the drive base 10 within the range of the flexibility of the damping members 29, 38, through the intermediate base 80, it is possible to adjust the relative positions of components on the drive base 10 and traverse base 20 within the floating range of the traverse base 20. Compared with a case in which the components are supported by a rigid construction (rigidly), a disk drive according to the present invention therefore also requires less precision in parts manufacture and assembly, and productivity can therefore be improved in the manufacturing process.

[0130] In this case, since the intermediate base is supported to swing vertically on the drive base 10 and the traverse base is supported on the intermediate base 80 through the elastic body, it is possible to perform the supporting of the vertical swing of the intermediate base to the drive base 10 and the elastic supporting of the traverse base 20 by separate mechanisms. Therefor, it is not necessary to use a same support in supporting the swing motion of the traverse base on the drive base and the elastic supporting of the traverse base, as it is in a conventional optical disk drive (prior art 2). Accordingly, the design range of elasticity of the supporting portion to support elastically the traverse base is not limited, and the flexibility of design thereof is to be enhanced.

[0131] As a result, absorbing vibration input from outside and restrain of vibration generated by rotation of the turn table are, relatively easily, achieved simultaneously.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, first and second electric motors 3 and 4, and a circuit board 2 comprising a control circuit for controlling driving motors 3 and 4, are also fastened to the bottom of drive base 10.

[0133] A turntable 5 on the top of which is placed a disc 9 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) is also disposed above the drive base 10. This turntable 5 is linked to the output shaft 3s (see FIG. 3) of the first motor 3 (spindle motor). An optical pickup 6 for writing a data signal to or reading a recorded data signal from the disc 9, and other drive components for operating the disk drive 1, are also disposed on top of drive base 10.

[0134] These drive mechanisms are described next below.

[0135] As will be understood from FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIGS. 49-51, a front to back (top to bottom) opening 20H is provided in traverse base 20. A pair of pickup guide channels 22 and 23 for guiding front to back travel of the optical pickup 6 is provided on the sides of this opening 20H. The turntable 5 is preferably positioned near the front end of the pickup guide channels 22 and 23 and opening 20H, or even forward of this position.

[0136] The optical pickup 6 is fixed to a rack member 40 (feed rack) described latter at one side (left side in FIG. 5) in right and left direction, and a front to back pair of guide shoes 6 a is provided under the fixed portion. These guide shoes 6 a are engaged with the left guide rod 22 in a manner to slide freely in front and back direction. While, there is provided a metal guide arm 6b at the other side (right side in FIG. 5) in right and left direction of the optical pickup 6, that engages with the right guide rod 23 in a manner to slide freely in front and back direction. The guide arm 6 b is connected electrically to a pickup circuit 6k of the optical pickup 6.

[0137] Thus, the optical pickup 6 is supported so that it can slide front to back on the traverse base 20 by engaging the guide shoe 6 a with the left guide rod 22 and engaging the guide arm 6 b with the right guide rod 23. It should be noted that a flexible connection member (for example, a flexible ribbon cable: not shown) for electrically connecting the optical pickup 6 and circuit board 2 is passed through the opening 20H.

[0138] The rear end portion of the left guide rod 22 and front and rear end of the right guide rod 23 are supported by guide rod supporting portion 24 provided on the traverse base 20. As shown in detail in FIG. 53, the guide rod supporting portion 24 comprises a tilt adjustment mechanism that adjusts the inclination of the guide rod 22, 23 by setting each end portion of guide rods in vertical direction (in other words, adjusts the vertical positions of the guide rod 22, 23 in the guide rod supporting portion 24).

[0139] That is, an adjusting screw 24 a raising or lowering the end of guide rod is fitted in to a lower portion of each guide rod supporting portion 24. While, a coil spring 24 b urging the end of guide rod downwardly is assembled into an upper portion of each guide rod supporting portion. A holding metal cover 24c is fixed over the coil spring 24 b.

[0140] And, by moving vertically the adjusting screw 24 a along its screw thread, the coil spring 24 b is compressed or elongated to change the length thereof, and the vertical positions of the guide rod 22, 23 in the guide rod supporting portion 24, thereby the inclination of the guide rod 22, 23 is adjusted.

[0141] By providing such a tilt adjustment mechanism, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the guide rod 22, 23, thereby adjusting an angle between a light beam of the optical pickup 6 and the disk 9. And, it is possible to perform accurately writing and/or reading information signal against the disk 9, even if there are deformations such as warpage in the disk 9.

[0142] It is to be noted that only the front end of the left guide rod 22, not shown in figures, is supported by simple concave receiving portion, not with tilt adjustment mechanism, in order to avoid an interference with a moving operation of feed rack 40.

[0143] In the preferred embodiment, more preferably, in order to earth the noise of the optical pickup 6 in a simple manner, for example, one end of the holding metal cover 24 c of the right guide rod supporting portion 24 for supporting the rear end of the right guide rod 23 is extended downwardly to a position lower than the rod supporting portion 24, specifically, extended downwardly (that is, closing to the circuit board 2) through the traverse base 20. The circuit board 2 is provided, at a corresponding portion to the extended portion 24 d of the metal holding cover 24 c, with a through hole 2 h capable of inserting therein an earth connector 25 having a earth wire 25 a at one end thereof. It is to be noted that a plate member made of metal for example, though it is not shown in the drawings, which is to be mounted to the drive base 10 is located below the drive base 10. The one end of the earth wire 25 a is connected to the plate member by screws for example. And, it is possible to insert the earth connector 25 into the through hole 2 h and to stick the upper end portion thereof into the tip portion (the lower end portion) of the extended portion 24 d of the metal holding cover 24 c. In this case the earth connector 25 is stuck into the extended portion from under side thereof.

[0144] Furthermore, not only the metal holding cover 24 c, but also both of the guide rod 23 and the guide arm 6 b are made of electrically conductive material such as metal.

[0145] Therefore, noise from the pickup circuit 6 k of the optical pickup 6 is transmitted to the guide rod 23 through the guide arm 6 b, and conveyed from the guide rod 23 to the earth wire 25 a through the metal holding cover 24 c and the earth connector 25, and then, the noise is eliminated through the earth wire 25 a.

[0146] In this case, an earth connector 25 is connected to an extended portion 24 d, which is formed on the above-described holding metal cover 24 c. In other words, this earth connector 25 is connected to a fixed portion, which is irrelevant to the mobile operation of the optical pickup 6, so that, upon setting a length of the earth wire 25 a, there is no need to allow for a length according to the mobile operation of the optical pickup 6 and the earth wire 25 a is capable of being shortened so much. Accordingly, an arrangement space of the earth wire 25 a may be small, so that this is not particularly disadvantage for making the disk drive 1 compact.

[0147] In addition, upon connecting to ground, the extended portion 24 d of the above-described holding metal cover 24 c is held by an earth connector 25, which is mounted at one end of the earth wire 25 a, with being inserted, so that it is possible to connect to ground by a simple operation for inserting this earth connector 25 in the above-described extended portion 24 d and to delete a noise. In other words, it is possible to remarkably simplify a connection operation upon connecting the earth wire 25 a between the optical pickup 6 and the ground side. In addition, according to need, the connection work of the earth wire 25 a becomes also possible after assembling the disk drive 1, so that it is possible to improve a working property upon assembling the disk drive 1.

[0148] Particularly, at the above-described guide rod supporting portion 24, an adjustment mechanism (namely, a tilt adjusting mechanism) for adjusting the declinations of the guide rods 22 and 23 by changing the length of the above-described coil spring 24 b and adjusting the vertical directions of the guide rods 22 and 23 at the above-described guide rod supporting portion 24 is provided, and by using such a tilt adjusting mechanism, a noise of the optical pickup 6 is deleted.

[0149] In other words, upon providing the earth mechanism and deleting the noise of the optical pickup 6, it is possible to use an existing configuration, which is originally provided to the optical disk drive 1, so that increase of the number of the parts and complication of the configuration may be avoided.

[0150] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the drive base 10 is provided aside from the above-described traverse base 20. Further, as described in detail later, a disk loading mechanism for moving the optical disk 9 bidirectionally between an upper position of the turntable 5 and an external position of the disk drive 1 is provided, and the above-described traverse base 20 is supported swingably in a vertical direction with respect to the drive base 10 (through an intermediate base 80).

[0151] In such a case, the above-described earth connector 25 is connected to the extended portion 24 d of the above-described holding metal cover 24 c from a downward direction (that is, from a direction included in the rotational direction of the above-described traverse base 20), so that, upon a rotational operation of this traverse base 20, an excessive bending moment does not act on a connection portion of the earth connector 25 and the above-described extended portion 24 d. Accordingly, only by setting the length of the earth wire 25 a as allowing for the length according to the rotational operation of the traverse base 20, it is possible to certainly prevent an excessive force from being applied to the connection portion of the earth connector 25 to the above-described extended portion 24 d and the earth wire 25 a upon the rotational operation of this traverse base 20.

[0152] As described above, the optical pickup is fixed at one side (left side in FIG. 5) in right and left direction on the rack member 40 (feed rack). Therefore, the traveling motion in front and back direction of the feed rack 40 is guided by the right and left guide rods 22, 23 through the slide shoe 6 a and the guide arm 6 b. That is, the optical pickup 6 can be moved bidirectionally front and back guided by the guide rods 22, 23 by moving the feed rack 40 along the guide rods 22, 23.

[0153] As shown in detail in FIGS. 30 to 34, teeth 41 (driven rack part) are formed along substantially the full length on one side of the feed rack 40 (the right side in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5). A length of teeth 42 (transfer path switching rack) is also formed on the other side at the front of the feed rack 40.

[0154] It should be noted that a front and back pair of guide shoes 6a is provided at the back of the feed rack 40, as described above. And, the movement of the feed rack 40 to the back is limited by striking and stopping the guide shoes 6a at the back wall of the traverse base 20 when the feed rack 40 travels to the back (upward in FIG. 5).

[0155] A gear set 51 (rack drive gear set) comprising a group of gears is disposed to the traverse base 20 to drive the feed rack 40 and move the optical pickup 6 bidirectionally front and back.

[0156] As shown in detail in FIGS. 9 to 13, this gear set 51 comprises: a motor gear 4G fastened to the output shaft 4 s of the second motor 4; a first traverse gear 52 having a large diameter input gear 52A (first traverse input gear) for engaging the motor gear 4G, and a small diameter output gear 52B (first traverse output gear) integrally disposed to the top of the input gear 52A; and a second traverse gear 53 having a large diameter input gear 53 a (second traverse input gear) for engaging the first traverse output gear 52B, and a small diameter output gear 53B (second traverse output gear) integrally disposed to the bottom of the second traverse input gear 53 a. The second traverse output gear 53B engages the driven rack part 41 of the feed rack 40.

[0157] When the second motor 4 is driven and the motor gear 4G turns at a specific speed in, for example, the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13 (corresponding to the first direction of rotation in the accompanying claims of this invention), motor rotation is speed reduced at a specific reduction ratio and is transferred to the output side by the gear set 51 so that the final output gear 53B (second traverse output gear) turns counterclockwise at a reduced speed.

[0158] This causes the feed rack 40 to travel at a predetermined speed along the guide rail 24 to the front (to the bottom as seen in FIGS. 9 to 13). When the second motor 4 is driven in the direction opposite that described above, and feed rack 40 also travels in the opposite direction.

[0159] It is therefore possible by switching the forward and reverse direction of second motor 4 operation to change the direction in which the feed rack 40 (and therefore the optical pickup 6) travels, and the feed rack 40 and optical pickup 6 can therefore be driven bidirectionally forward and back.

[0160] The feed rack 40 and gear set 51 form the basic optical pickup drive mechanism, equivalent to the optical pickup drive mechanism of the accompanying claims, whereby the optical pickup 6 is moved in two directions between the inside circumference and outside circumference of the disc 9. The pickup guide channels 22 and 23, guide shoe 6 a and guide arm 6 b also assist driving the optical pickup 6.

[0161] A tray drive gear 56 for moving the tray 55 between an unloading position at the front of the disk drive 1 so that a disc can be place on or removed from the tray 55, and a loading position inside the disk drive 1 at which a disk is loaded to or unloaded from the turntable 5, is provided at the front of the drive base 10.

[0162] It should be noted that this loading position and unloading position are equivalent to the first position and second position, respectively, in the accompanying claims.

[0163] This tray drive gear 56 comprises a large diameter output gear 56B for engaging the tray rack teeth 55 g provided on the back of the tray 55 (see FIG. 19 to FIG. 21), and a small diameter input gear 56A below the output gear 56B. The tray drive gear 56 is positioned beside the cam gear 30 such that the input gear 56A engages the outside teeth 30 g of the cam gear 30.

[0164] The tray 55, tray rack teeth 55 g, and tray drive gear 56 form a disk loading mechanism, equivalent to the “disk loading mechanism” in the accompanying claims, for carrying a disc 9 between the turntable 5 loading position (first position) and the unloading position (second position) outside the disk drive 1.

[0165] It is to be noted that the disk loading mechanism is not necessary in an application corresponding to the first usage condition and the tray 55 and the tray drive gear 56 are not mounted to the disk drive in such a case.

[0166] A gear set 61 comprising a group of gears (a loading drive gear set 61: see FIG. 9 to FIG. 13) for moving the tray 55 between the disc 9 unloading position and loading position is provided on top of the traverse base 20.

[0167] This loading drive gear set 61 comprises: motor gear 4G attached to the output shaft 4 s of the second motor 4; a first loading gear 62 having a large diameter first loading input gear 62A for engaging the motor gear 4G, and a small diameter first loading output gear 62B disposed integrally to the top of the first loading input gear 62A; a second loading gear 63 having a large diameter second loading input gear 63A for engaging the first loading output gear 62B, and a small diameter second loading output gear 63B disposed integrally to the top of the second loading input gear 63A; and a large diameter third loading gear 64 for engaging the second loading output gear 63B. This third loading gear 64 engages teeth 30 g of the cam gear 30.

[0168] The profile of teeth 30 g of the cam gear 30 when seen in vertical section, or more preferably in side view as shown in FIG. 29, is curved. When the intermediate base 80 having the traverse base 20 and cam gear 30 are assembled into the drive base 10 with the intermediate base 80 pivoting at the back edge thereof so as to move circularly up and down relative to the drive base 10 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7), the curve of the tooth profile is part of the arc Cg′ tracing the circular path Cg of the front edge of the third loading gear 64.

[0169] The third loading gear 64 on the traverse base 20 and teeth 30 g of the cam gear 30 can therefore reliably and smoothly engage even when the traverse base 20 has swung, through the intermediate base 80, to a position at an angle to the drive base 10 (indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 29 and shown in FIG. 7). It should be noted that the profile of teeth 30 g in vertical section can be a straight line at an incline to the long axis Lg of the cam gear 30 and approaching curve Cg′.

[0170] It should be further noted that the second loading gear 63 is not shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 to provide a clearer view of the third loading gear 64 engaging teeth 30 g of cam gear 30.

[0171] As thus described, the profile in vertical section of the teeth 30 g of cam gear 30 is an arc following the circular path of the third loading gear 64, that is, the last output gear of the loading drive gear set 61, as the gear 64 moves circularly up or down in conjunction with the circular movement of the intermediate base 80 and the traverse base 20, or is a straight line approaching this arc. As a result, the final output gear 64 reliably and smoothly engages teeth 30 g of cam gear 30 even when the loading drive gear set 61 moves in a circular path vertically in conjunction with the movement of traverse base 20 in a circular path.

[0172] It should be noted that a loading drive mechanism for driving the disk loading mechanism comprises basically the loading drive gear set 61 and cam gear 30, or more specifically the teeth 30 g thereof, and this loading drive mechanism corresponds to “the loading drive mechanism” of the accompanying claims.

[0173] It is to be noted that the loading drive mechanism is not necessary in an application corresponding to the first usage condition and the loading drive gear set 61 and cam gear 30 are not mounted to the disk drive in such a case.

[0174] The above-noted optical pickup 6 can move to a specified position on the inside circumference side of the data signal recording area of the disc 9. When the optical pickup 6 is then moved by the drive power of second motor 4 via the gear set 51 from the outside circumference side of the disc 9 to the inside circumference side, and reaches said specified position outside of the data signal recording area of the disc 9, the transfer path of second motor 4 drive power is switched to the loading drive gear set 61.

[0175] This transfer path switching operation is described further in detail with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 18. A vertical stud 20s is disposed at the front of the traverse base 20. A trigger lever 71 for switching the power transfer path is held on the stud 20 s. A rocking lever 73 restricting the position of the trigger lever 71 is provided nearby.

[0176] As shown in detail in FIG. 35 to FIG. 37, the trigger lever 71 comprises a base 71 b fit rotatably on the stud 20 s, a partial gear 71 g formed to part of the outside of the base 71 b, and a pair of engaging arms 71 a for engaging the cam gear 30. A stop 7is for engaging claw 73 d of rocking lever 73 is provided on the outside of the trigger lever base 71 b.

[0177] The partial gear 71 g is for engaging the power transfer path switching rack 42. The engaging arm 71a is also disposed so that it can engage the hook 32 protruding from the outside of the cam gear 30.

[0178] As shown in detail in FIG. 38 to FIG. 40, the rocking lever 73 comprises a base 73 b that is fit and fastened at the front of traverse base 20, a lever part 73 a extending in a basic L shape from the base 73 b, and a spring part 73 c extending basically in an arc from the base 73 b. A claw 73 d for engaging the stop 71 s of trigger lever 71, and a pin 73 p protruding upward, are integrally molded to the lever part 73 a. A guide slot 73 s through which the regulating rod 75 s of positioning rod 75 slides freely is also formed in the base 73 b.

[0179] As will be known from FIG. 30 and FIG. 32, a cam channel 43 with a curved shape when seen in plan view is provided in the back of the feed rack 40. The front end of the cam channel 43 is open to the front of the feed rack 40. The pin 73 p of rocking lever 73 is thus able to engage and slide freely through this cam channel 43.

[0180] A positioning mechanism for precisely maintaining engagement of the various components disposed to the drive base 10 and the traverse base 20 respectively, the intermediate base 80 and traverse base 20 is also provided on the drive base 10 and traverse base 20.

[0181] More specifically, a positioning member 75 (positioning rod) for positioning the traverse base 20 to the intermediate base 80 and engaging both bases 20, 80 as one body is disposed to the front of the traverse base 20.

[0182] As shown in detail in FIG. 41 to FIG. 43, this positioning rod 75 comprises an engaging base 75 b for engaging and sliding freely front-back in the front-back guide channel 26 formed in the top of traverse base 20, extension 75 c projecting forward from the engaging base 75 b, and regulating rod 75 s extending front-back (top-bottom as seen in FIG. 14 to FIG. 18) at a position offset to the right from the engaging base 75 b and extension 75 c.

[0183] As noted above, this regulating rod 75 s is inserted through and slides freely front-back in the guide slot 73 s formed in the base 73 b of rocking lever 73. As described more fully below, after assembly the front of the extension 75 c contacts spring part 73 c of rocking lever 73 and is pushed thereby to the back. The back of the extension 75c can also contact the front of the feed rack 40 so that as the feed rack 40 moves to the front, the entire positioning rod 75 also moves to the front.

[0184] As shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 18, a positioning hole 83 into which the regulating rod 75 s of the positioning rod 75 can enter and fit is formed in the front end wall of the intermediate base 80. When the feed rack 40 moves further than a specific distance to the front, the front of the feed rack 40 contacts and pushes on the back of the extension 75 c of positioning rod 75, causing the entire positioning rod 75 to advance with the engaging base 75 b following the guide channel 26. This causes the regulating rod 75 s to fit into the positioning hole 83 of the intermediate base 80, and thus engages the traverse base 20 to the intermediate base 80.

[0185] A cam channel 27 shaped like an arc when seen in plan view is also provided in the top at the front of the traverse base 20. An engaging protrusion 32 p is also provided on the back of the hook 32 on cam gear 30. This engaging protrusion 32 p engages the cam channel 27, and thus regulates the front-back position of the traverse base 20 to the drive base 10.

[0186] Furthermore, the vertical positioning between the front of the intermediate base 80 (therefore, of the traverse base 20) and the drive base 10 is accurately controlled by the protrusion 80P provided at the front of the intermediate base 80 engaging the cam channel 33 of cam gear 30.

[0187] The position of the front of traverse base 20 to the drive base 10 is thus accurately determined in three perpendicular directions through the intermediate base 80, that is, side to side, front to back, and vertically, and the components mounted on the drive base 10 and traverse base 20 can be accurately and reliably engaged with corresponding parts. It is therefore possible when switching the transfer path of second motor 4 drive power to accurately maintain linkage between the disk loading mechanism on the drive base 10 and the loading drive mechanism on the traverse base 20.

[0188] The disk drive 1 also has a clamping plate 95 with an assembled damper 96 for clamping a disc 9 to the turntable 5 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 22, and 23).

[0189] A claw 95 d is formed at each of the plurality of mounting arms 95 f (two are provided at front and back in this exemplary embodiment) disposed to right and left sides of the clamping plate 95. The clamping plate 95 is assembled to the drive base 10 by engaging these claws 95 d with the sides of the drive base 10. By thus assembling the clamping plate 95 to the drive base 10, the center of the damper 96 can be centered with the center of turntable 5 rotation.

[0190] The clamping plate 95 comprises right and left horizontal bases 95 b for supporting mounting arms 95 f on the same right and left sides, an annular center holder 95 a for supporting the damper 96, and a horizontal connector 95 c for connecting the holder 95 a to the bases 95 b.

[0191] In the preferred embodiment, a notch 95 e is formed on each side between the base of the holder 95 a and the corresponding horizontal bases 95 b. The width of each horizontal connector 95 c is less than the width of the horizontal base 95 b by an amount corresponding to the notch 95 e. This gives the horizontal connectors 95 c less rigidity than the horizontal bases 95 b, and makes it easier for the horizontal connectors 95 c to bend vertically. Therefor, when the disk drive 1 is dropped, for example, exposing the disk drive 1 to a large shock such that the turntable 5 contacts the clamping plate 95, the clamping plate 95 is able to easily flex in the vertical direction, thus absorb the force of impact, and therefore effectively prevent the turntable 5 (and spindle motor 3 linked to the turntable 5) from suffering major damage.

[0192] In the preferred embodiment, a disk clamping mechanism is employed so as to limit strictly an angle between an disk surface and the light beam, even if the there is deformation such as warpage and bending in the disk 9, by correcting them through a relatively simple constitution.

[0193] FIGS. 44 to 46 schematically show a basic constitution and a principal of a disk clamping mechanism employed in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 44, a damper 96 is comprised of a central damper portion 96 a for pinching a proximity of an inner edge of a disk 9 with a turntable 5 for fixing the same and a large damper portion 96 b that is of substantially identical radius as that of a proximity of an outer edge of the disk 9 and that is of substantially identical height as that of the central clamper portion 96 a, both members extending over the entire periphery. A concave portion 96 c is formed to extend over the entire periphery between the central damper portion 96a and the large damper portion 96 b of the damper 96 so as not to contact the disk 9.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 45, the disk 9 is mounted onto the turntable 5 and the damper 96 is attached thereafter. At this time, the central damper portion 96 a of the damper 96 pinches the proximity of the inner edge of the disk 9 with the turntable 5 for fixing the same, and the large clamper portion 96 b contacts the outer edge of the disk 9.

[0195] And, in case the outer edge side of the disk 9 is warped towards a direction opposite to a surface onto which the light beam is irradiated (in a direction of a so-called labeled surface) (see FIGS. 45A and 45B), the disk 9 is first made to abut against the large damper portion 96 b of the clamper 96 at the outer peripheral portion thereof, whereupon the disk 9 is pressurized by the central damper portion 96 a for pinching and fixing the same with the turntable 5.

[0196] With this pinching and holding, the warped outer edge portion 9 b of the disk 9 is pressurized in a direction opposite to the original warpage so that the warpage is corrected. While it may be that a central radial portion of the disk 9 c (that is, a portion between the proximity of the inner edge portion 9 a and the proximity of the outer edge portion 9 b) remains warped in the direction of the original warpage as illustrated in FIG. 45C, it will be the concave portion 96 c of the damper 96 that opposes the central radial portion 9 c so that the disk 9 will be prevented from contacting the concave portion 96 c of the damper portion 96.

[0197] Clamper moving operations for moving the damper 96 in a direction opposite to an upper surface of the turntable 5 unless the turntable 5 and the clamper 96 are in pinching and holding conditions will now be explained with reference to FIG. 46 that is schematic side and sectional views (wherein hatchings for indicating sections are omitted partially). The disk 9 that has been moved onto the turntable 5 by a tray 55 is mounted by the damper 96. A protrusion 55 a formed on the tray is provided for introducing the disk 9 to a position that is concentric with the turntable 5 and will be a hindrance formed on the tray.

[0198]FIG. 46A illustrates a condition in which the disk 9 is pinched and held by the damper 96 and the turntable 5 (similar to FIG. 45C). It can be understood that the disk 9 is pinched and held in a condition in which it is remote from the tray 55. Simultaneously with the movement of the turntable 5 in a direction as indicated by arrow D as illustrated in FIG. 46B, which is a direction opposite to the disk 9, the clamper 96 will move in a direction as indicated by arrow U in the drawing, that is a direction opposing the upper surface of the turntable (direction away from the turntable 5).

[0199] Owing to the movement of the damper 96, it is possible to avoid a case in which movements of the tray 55 are hindered by the protrusion 55 a of the tray 55 or any other hindrances when the tray moves (in a direction as indicated by arrow E in FIG. 46C).

[0200] As explained so far, the provision of a damper for pressurizing an outer periphery of the disk from its labeled surface will reduce warpage of the disk 9 to enable stable driving for reproduction and also avoid hindrances preventing movements of the tray 55.

[0201] The disk drive according to the embodiment comprises a disk clamping mechanism applied the above-mentioned basic principal, and the concrete constitution will now be explained in details with reference to FIGS. 47 and 48. It is to be noted that such a disk clamping mechanism is not necessary in an application corresponding to the first usage condition and exclusive mechanism parts such as the clamping plate 95 and the damper 96 are not mounted to the disk drive in such a case.

[0202]FIG. 47 is an overall perspective view of the disk clamping mechanism according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 48 is a partial sectional view showing the operation thereof, illustrating a condition in which the disk is being pinched and held (FIG. 48A) up to a condition immediately before starting moving through the tray (FIG. 48C).

[0203] In FIGS. 47 and 48, A damper magnet 96 d is arranged downward of the proximity of the inner radius of the damper 96 to oppose a tip end of the turntable that is made of ferromagnetic material such as iron. A taper center portion 96 e is provided in the center of the damper 96 for achieving centering of the turntable 5 and the clamper 96 by being inserted into a central hole of the turntable 5. It should be noted that centering of the disk 9 and the turntable 5 is achieved in a conventional manner in that the inner radial portion of the disk 9 is held by a taper stepped portion of the turntable 5.

[0204] A spring hook 94 with a hook portion 94 a projecting from its inner radial portion is arranged in the center of a clamp plate 95. The hook portion 94 a pierces through a clamp plate 95 in a freely rotating and moving-with-play arrangement. Also, the hook portion 94 a pierces through the damper 96 under the clamp plate 95 and engages the spring hook 94 with the damper 96 through a spring 98. With this arrangement, the damper 96 abutting against the disk and pressurizing the same will be urged by the spring member 98 in an upward direction above the spring hook 94 engaged at the inner radial hook portion 94 a.

[0205] In this manner, the clamper 96, the spring 98, the spring holder 97, and the clamp plate 95 supporting the spring hook 94 will be fixed to a main body of the disk drive (drive base) 10 for holding the turntable 5 and for mounting the tray 55 thereon in a freely sliding manner.

[0206] Operations of the thus arranged disk clamping mechanism will now be explained. In FIG. 48, FIG. 48A illustrates a condition in which the disk 9 mounted on the lifted turntable 5 is being fixed by being pinched and held by the damper 96, similarly to a condition as illustrated in the above-described the embodiment 1. Since suction force generated between the damper magnet 96 d of the damper inner radial portion and the turntable 5 is larger than the upwardly directed urging force as generated by the spring 98, the damper 96 pressurizes the disk 9 that is mounted on the turntable 5 over its entire surface. Moreover, since the turntable 5 is lifted, the spring holder 97 and the hook portion 94 a are also lifted with the proximity of the inner radius of the disk being pinched between so that the spring hook 94 is remote from the clamp plate 95 to be freely rotating.

[0207] Next, by the downward movement of the turntable 5 in a direction opposite to the disk 9 (direction it separated from the disk 9) as illustrated in FIG. 48B, the disk 9 is separated from the turntable 5 and mounted onto the tray 55. The spring holder 97 and the hook 94 that are now remote from the turntable 5 and are no more supported thereby will suspend through suction force between the damper magnet 96 d and the turntable 5 as well as their own weights, while a brim portion 94 b provided on an upper portion of the spring hook 94 will engage at the clamp plate 95 to thereby support the spring holder 97 and the spring hook 94 by the clamp plate 95. Furthermore, upon descending of the turntable 5, the magnetic suction force between the separated turntable 5 and the damper magnet 96 d will reduce such that repulsive force of the spring member 98 overcomes this force, and the damper 96 will be urged in the upward direction to thereby separate the damper 96 from the disk 9 located on the tray 55.

[0208] As illustrated in FIG. 48C, after the turntable 5 moves in a direction as to further separate from the disk 9 and the distance between the damper 96 and the tray 55 as well as the distance between the tray 55 and the turntable 5 are sufficiently separated, the tray 55 will move in a sliding manner in a forward direction (vertical direction with respect to the sheet of paper on which the drawing is illustrated) with the disk 9 being remained mounted thereon to eject the disk 9.

[0209] When mounting the disk 9 on the turntable 5 by performing the above-described operations in an opposite order, the tray 55 similarly moves in a sliding manner in a condition in which it is sufficiently remote from the damper 96 and the turntable 5 as illustrated in FIG. 48C. When the disk 9 is moved to the proper position upward of the turntable 5, the sliding movement of the tray 55 is terminated and the turntable 5 starts lifting. Accompanying the lifting of the turntable 5, the spring hook 94 will be lifted with the proximity of the inner radial portion of the disk being pinched between to thereby disengage the spring hook 94 and the clamp plate 95. When the suction force between the turntable 5 and the damper magnet 96 d overcomes the upwardly directed urging force of the spring member 98, the damper 96 will be sucked in a downward direction for pressurizing the disk 9.

[0210] As explained so far, according to the present embodiment, though, the optical disk driving device be one comprised with a damper of large diameter, the employment of the spring member enables it that the damper 96 of large diameter for pressurizing the disk when approaching the turntable automatically separates from the disk when the turntable is descending and that movements of the tray 55 are prevented from being hindered by the projection 55 a or other hindrances when the tray performs sliding movements for ejecting the disk.

[0211] That is, according to the embodiment, it is possible to achieve a superior effect of correcting warpage by abutting and pressurizing a proximity of an outer periphery of a disk on which no information is recorded, of restricting an angle between an information recording surface of the disk and the light beam that is irradiated for recording and reproducing information to be within a specified value, and of precisely reading information for accurately performing recording and reproduction. By the provision of a means for moving a damper of large diameter for abutting and pressuring an outer periphery of a disk, it is possible to achieve an effect of enabling movements without hindering a tray.

[0212] The operation of a disk drive 1 thus comprised is described next below.

[0213] When a disc 9 is loaded into the disk drive 1 and a signal recorded to the disc 9 is being reproduced by the optical pickup 6 (see FIG. 9), the intermediate base 80 and the traverse base 20 are supported substantially parallel to the drive base 10 as shown in FIG. 6, by means of the protrusion 80P at the front edge of the intermediate base 80 fits into the top horizontal channel 33 a of the cam channel 33 in cam gear 30.

[0214] The stop 71 s of the trigger lever 71 is engaged with the claw 73 d of rocking lever 73, and the engaging arm 71a engages the hook 32 of cam gear 30, at this time as shown in FIG. 14. When thus engaged, the trigger lever 71 is turned all the way clockwise in FIG. 9 and FIG. 14.

[0215] To read a signal from the disc 9 in this position, the spindle motor 3 is driven to spin the turntable 5 on which the disc 9 is loaded at a specific speed, the optical pickup 6 is moved to a position below the signal track to be reproduced, and the optical elements (that is, the optical system including a laser and lens) of the optical pickup 6 are operated to read the desired signal from the disc 9.

[0216] If the signal track to be reproduced is not above the current optical pickup 6 position, or if signals are to be read from some plurality of signal tracks, the optical pickup 6 must be moved appropriately toward the inside circumference of the disc 9, that is, toward the front of the disk drive 1, or the outside circumference of the disc 9, that is, toward the back of the disk drive 1.

[0217] The optical pickup 6 is moved by means of the optical pickup drive mechanism. As described above, the second motor 4 is therefore driven and the motor gear 4G turns. Rotation of the motor gear 4G is speed reduced at a specific speed reducing ratio and transferred to the output side by the rack drive gear set 51, thereby causing the final output gear 53B (second traverse output gear) to turn at a reduced speed and moving the feed rack 40 and the optical pickup 6 linked thereto front or back. If the motor gear 4G turns counterclockwise in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13, the optical pickup 6 moves forward (downward in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13) toward the inside circumference of the disc 9. If the motor gear 4G turns in the opposite direction, the optical pickup 6 moves to the back (upward in FIG. 9 to FIG. 13) toward the outside circumference of the disc 9.

[0218] It should be noted that the loading drive gear set 61 also turns in conjunction with second motor 4 operation during this signal reproduction mode, but the teeth of the third loading gear 64, that is, the final output gear of the gear set 61, are positioned at the smooth part 34 of the cam gear 30 and thus do not engage the cam gear teeth 30 g. Drive power from the second motor 4 is therefore not transferred to the cam gear 30, and hence to the tray drive gear 56, in this signal reproduction mode.

[0219]FIG. 10 and FIG. 15 show the drive train when positioned for reading a signal recorded to the most inside circumference part of the recording position range (data signal recording area) of the disc 9. When positioned to read from this disc area, the optical pickup 6 is moved forward by the optical pickup drive mechanism to the inside circumference edge Sr of the data signal recording area of the disc 9, and the back end of the driven rack part 41 of the feed rack 40 is engaged with the final output gear 53B (second traverse output gear) of the rack drive gear set 51. The power transfer path switching rack 42 is also extremely close to the partial gear 71 g of trigger lever 71.

[0220] As is well known, the data signal recording area of an optical disc 9 is to be determined by the distance from the disc center based on the disk format standard. A conventional disk drive also has an optical pickup position detector disposed at a position corresponding to the most inside circumference position of the data signal recording area to detect whether the optical pickup is at this most inside circumference position or has moved thereto so that the optical pickup can be prevented from moving beyond this point further towards the inside circumference of the disc.

[0221] In contrast to this conventional design, a disk drive 1 according to this preferred embodiment has an inside circumference detection switch 7 disposed at the inside circumference edge Sr of the data signal recording area of the disc 9, and uses the inside circumference edge Sr as an inside circumference edge switching position. When off, this inside circumference detection switch 7 operates the same as in a conventional optical disk drive to detect whether the optical pickup is at this most inside circumference position or has moved thereto. What differs from the conventional disk drive is that when the inside circumference detection switch 7 is on, movement of the optical pickup 6 beyond the inside circumference edge Sr is not limited when the optical pickup 6 trips the inside circumference detection switch 7, and the optical pickup 6 can therefore be purposely moved further to the inside circumference of the disc 9.

[0222] The inside circumference detection switch 7 operates mechanically in the same manner as a common conventional detector, and is disposed to project and retract vertically to the top of the traverse base 20. When the optical pickup 6 reaches a position above the inside circumference detection switch 7, the bottom of the optical pickup 6 interferes with the switch 7, causing the inside circumference detection switch 7 to be pushed into the traverse base 20 in resistance to the pressure of a switch spring (not shown in the figure). It should be noted that this inside circumference detection switch 7 shall not be limited to a mechanical device such as described above, and can alternatively be a non-contact detector or any of various other known designs.

[0223]FIG. 11 and FIG. 16 show the optical pickup 6 after it has moved to the inside circumference edge Sr, operated the inside circumference detection switch 7, and then moved beyond this position farther to the inside circumference of the disc 9.

[0224] The differences between the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 15 and the state shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, as well as the movement to these states, are described next below.

[0225] The optical pickup 6 is moved from the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 15 to the state shown in FIGS. 11 and 16 by continuing to drive the second motor 4 in the same direction (clockwise in this case) from the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 15 after the optical pickup 6 operates the on-state inside circumference detection switch 7.

[0226] By thus moving the optical pickup 6 further to the inside circumference, the power transfer path switching rack 42 of the feed rack 40 moving the optical pickup 6 front-back engages the partial gear 71 g of trigger lever 71, and turns the trigger lever 71 clockwise. In conjunction with this the engaging arm 71 a of trigger lever 71 turns the hook 32 of cam gear 30 clockwise.

[0227] The cam gear 30 thus turns clockwise, and the cam gear teeth 30 g begin to engage the final output gear 64 (third loading gear) of the loading drive gear set 61. The driven rack part 41 of the feed rack 40 is still engaged with the final output gear 53B (second traverse output gear) of the rack drive gear set 51 at this time.

[0228] The rocking lever 73 engaged with the stop 71s of the trigger lever 71 to position and hold the trigger lever 71 also turns as a result of the rocking lever pin 73 p following the cam channel 43 of feed rack 40. As a result, the claw 73 d releases the trigger lever 71.

[0229]FIG. 12 and FIG. 17 show the state in which the cam gear 30 is turned clockwise by drive power from the third loading gear 64 from where the cam gear 30 begins to engage the final output gear 64 (third loading gear) of the loading drive gear set 61.

[0230] This operation is also accomplished by the motor gear 4G of second motor 4 turning clockwise, that is, in the same direction in which the motor gear 4G turns to move the optical pickup 6 to the inside circumference.

[0231] This operation of the cam gear 30 turns the trigger lever 71 counterclockwise to a position limited by the cam gear 30, thus drawing the optical pickup 6 to a further inside circumference position (forward position) until the driven rack part 41 of the feed rack 40 disengages the second traverse output gear 53B. As a result, further clockwise rotation of the motor gear 4G, and hence drive power from the second motor 4, is not transferred to the feed rack 40, that is, to optical pickup 6 movement.

[0232] The pin 73 p of rocking lever 73 is guided along the cam channel 43 of feed rack 40 to enter the inclined part of the cam channel 43 at this time, and is thus turned clockwise by the spring tension of the rocking lever 73. The trigger lever 71 continues to be turned counterclockwise until it completely separates from the cam gear 30.

[0233] It should be noted that basically the trigger lever 71, rocking lever 73, and cam gear 30 (or more specifically the hook 32 and smooth part 34 of the cam gear 30), as well as more specifically the power transfer path switching rack 42 and cam channel 43 of the feed rack 40, combine to form a power transfer path switching mechanism for switching the transfer path of second motor 4 drive power. This power transfer path switching mechanism corresponds to “the power transfer path switching mechanism” of the accompanying claims.

[0234] For an application corresponding to the first usage condition, the power transfer path switching mechanism is not necessary, therefore, mechanism parts used for the above-mentioned mechanism such as the trigger lever 71, rocking lever 73 and cam gear 30 are not required to be mounted to the disk drive. However, with regard to the rocking lever 73, it is difficult to attach and detach to and from the traverse base 20 because it is disposed at back side of the feed rack 40 (in other word, it is difficult to attach the rocking lever after the feed rack 40 is mounted on the traverse base 20).. Therefore, the rocking lever 73 may be attached to the traverse base 20 even when the disk drive is used in an application corresponding to the first usage condition.

[0235] As described above, the feed rack 40 can move the optical pickup 6 to an inside circumference edge Sr position at the inside circumference limit of the data signal recording area of the disc 9, and can then continue moving the optical pickup 6 beyond this position closer to the inside circumference of the disc 9. Furthermore, the second motor 4 drive power transfer path is switched by the feed rack 40 moving to this specific position at the inside circumference or moving from this specific position toward the outside circumference of the disc. As a result, drive power from a single motor (the second motor 4) can be used to power the signal reading operation of the optical pickup 6, as well as switching the drive power transfer path of the second motor 4.

[0236] Furthermore, by continuing to drive the same motor 4 without changing the direction of shaft rotation after moving the optical pickup 6 for signal reproduction to the inside circumference edge Sr of the data signal recording area of the disc 9, the disc 9 is automatically unclamped from the turntable 5 so that the disc 9 can be ejected from the disk drive. It is therefore possible to eliminate the dedicated disk loading motor required for disk loading and unloading in a conventional optical disk drive. It is therefore possible to provide a less expensive disk drive by thus reducing the number of motors used in the disk drive.

[0237] Furthermore, by changing the direction of second motor 4 operation or simply stopping the second motor 4 after the optical pickup 6 has been moved to the inside circumference edge Sr of the data signal recording area of the disc 9 and the position of the optical pickup 6 has been detected by the inside circumference detection switch 7, it is possible to not eject the disc 9 from the disk drive and continue reading or writing signals to the same disc 9. The number of detectors or detection switches used in the disk drive can also be reduced, and a lower cost optical disk drive can therefore be provided, because the inside circumference detection switch 7 can be used to detect if a disk has been loaded into the disk drive and if the disk has been clamped, and dedicated detectors used in a conventional disk drive for these detection purposes can therefore be eliminated.

[0238] The traverse base 20 in a disk drive according to this preferred embodiment is designed to swing up and down on the back end of the base, through the intermediate base 80, while a protrusion 80P at the front end of the intermediate base 80 engages a cam channel 33 in the cam gear 30. As described above, this cam channel 33 comprises top and bottom horizontal channels 33 a and 33 c and a diagonal channel 33 b connecting these horizontal channels (see FIG. 24 to FIG. 29). The vertical position of the front of the traverse base 20 is determined by what part of these three channels 33 a to 33 c the protrusion 80P is engaged with, that is, by the direction and distance of cam gear 30 rotation. The intermediate base 80 and the traverse base 20 therefore swing up and down pivoting around the back edge of the traverse base 20 according to the direction and distance of cam gear 30 rotation.

[0239] It will thus be obvious that the traverse base 20 is supported to swing vertically on one edge thereof relative to the drive base 10 through the intermediate base 80. More specifically, the cam gear 30 is turned by power transferred from the loading drive gear set 61, causing the other end of the traverse base 20 to move up or down such that the front of traverse base 20 swings up or down relative to the drive base 10. Drive power from one motor, the second motor 4, is thus used to swing the traverse base 20 up and down, and therefore to raise or lower the turntable 5, and spin the disc 9 in conjunction therewith.

[0240] When the cam gear 30 moves further clockwise as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 18, the position at which the protrusion 80P of intermediate base 80 engages the cam channel 33 moves from the top horizontal channel 33 a through the diagonal channel 33 b to the bottom horizontal channel 33 c.

[0241] When the intermediate base 80 and the traverse base 20 are positioned as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 14, the protrusion 80P engages top horizontal channel 33 a, and the intermediate base 80 and the traverse base 20 is held as shown in FIG. 6 parallel to the drive base 10 with the top of both bases substantially flush with the top of the drive base 10. The disc 9 can thus be clamped and held level between the turntable 5 and the clamper 96.

[0242] When the feed rack 40 moves more than a specific distance forward as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 and FIGS. 15 to 18, the cam gear 30 begins to turn, and the front protrusion 80P of the intermediate base 80 passes the diagonal channel 33 b to engage the bottom horizontal channel 33 c of cam channel 33. This results in the intermediate base 80 and the traverse base 20 swinging down on the back end thereof so that it is inclined to the drive base 10 as shown in FIG. 7. This movement of the traverse base 20 also lowers the turntable 5 to the same downward incline. As a result, a disc 9 can be drawn to a position above the turntable 5 from outside the disk drive 1, or can be ejected from above the turntable 5 to outside the disk drive 1, without the disc 9 or turntable 5 interfering with disc 9 loading or unloading.

[0243] When the traverse base 20 is thus inclined down from the drive base 10 to a specific position (the position at which the front protrusion 80P of the intermediate base 80 passes the diagonal channel 33 b and engages the bottom horizontal channel 33 c of cam channel 33), the teeth 30 g of cam gear 30 engage the tray drive gear 56 of the disk loading mechanism. The tray 55 is thus driven with the traverse base 20 reliably swung to a downward position. It is therefore possible to reliably avoid interference between the tray 55 (and disc 9 thereon) and the turntable 5 when the tray is driven (that is, when a disk is loaded or unloaded).

[0244] When the traverse base 20 is thus inclined (see FIG. 13, FIG. 18, and FIG. 7), the third loading gear 64 is also inclined and engaged with the teeth 30 g of cam gear 30. As noted above and shown in FIG. 29, these teeth 30 g have a profile in longitudinal section that is curved or inclined to the axis Lg of the cam gear 30. As a result, gears 64 and 30 g can engage reliably and smoothly.

[0245] Furthermore, while the feed rack 40 (that is, the optical pickup 6) moves to the front and the traverse base 20 is inclining, the front edge of the feed rack 40 contacts and pushes forward on the back of the extension 75 c of positioning rod 75 in conjunction with the forward movement of the feed rack 40 as shown in FIGS. 14 to 18. This causes the regulating rod 75 s of the positioning rod 75 to move forward guided by the guide slot 73 s in the base 73 b of rocking lever 73. Then, as noted above, the regulating rod 75 s fits into the positioning hole 83 in the intermediate base 80, and thus positions the traverse base 20 to the drive base 10 through the intermediate base 80.

[0246] When the feed rack 40 moves in the opposite direction to the back, the force of spring part 73 c moves the positioning rod 75 to the back. This is because the front of the extension 75 c of positioning rod 75 contacts the spring part 73 c of the rocking lever 73, and the spring part 73 c thus constantly urges the positioning rod 75 toward the back.

[0247] When the traverse base 20 is held substantially parallel to the drive base 10 with the tops thereof substantially flush, the drive base 10 and traverse base 20 are positioned front-back to each other by engagement of the engaging protrusion 32 p of hook 32 on cam gear 30 with the cam channel 27 in the front of traverse base 20.

[0248]FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show the state in which the motor gear 4G is driven further in the same direction (clockwise) by the second motor 4, and cam gear 30 is turned further clockwise by way of intervening loading drive gear set 61. The input gear 56A of tray drive gear 56 does not engage the teeth 30 g of traverse base 20, and is positioned to the smooth part 34, in the states shown in FIGS. 9 to 13. Rotation of cam gear 30 is therefore not transferred to the tray drive gear 56, and the tray drive gear 56 does not turn.

[0249] However, when the cam gear 30 turns to the position shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, teeth 30 g of cam gear 30 begin to engage input gear 56A of tray drive gear 56, and tray drive gear 56 turns in conjunction with rotation of the cam gear 30. The tray 55 is then pulled to the front as shown in FIG. 21 by way of output gear 56B of tray drive gear 56 and the tray rack teeth 55 g engaged therewith.

[0250] It should be noted that drawing the tray 55 from inside the disk drive 1 to outside the drive, that is, unclamping the disc 9 and ejecting the disc 9 from a signal reproduction state, is described above. To draw the tray 55 from outside to inside the disk drive 1, the second motor 4 is driven in the opposite direction by the motor control circuit of the circuit board 2 so that the motor gear 4G begins to turn clockwise. As a result, carrying the optical disc 9 into the disk drive 1, clamping the disc, and preparing for signal reproduction are accomplished as a sequence of actions.

[0251] As described above, a disk drive according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a drive base 10 and separate traverse base 20 to which a turntable 5 is assembled with the traverse base 20 supported so as to swing up and down on the drive base 10. By driving a single motor (second motor 4) continuously in a forward direction (first direction of rotation) or opposite direction, moving an optical pickup 6, raising and lowering the turntable 5, and transporting a disc 9 can be accomplished substantially continuously in this order, or substantially continuously in the opposite order. It is therefore possible when loading or unloading a disc 9 to avoid interference with the turntable 5 without moving the disc 9 up or down. Unlike with a conventional disk drive, it is therefore not necessary to provide a disk holder for lifting the disk.

[0252] Furthermore, it is also possible to secure (clamp) and release (unclamp) the disc 9 to or from the turntable 5 using the operation whereby the traverse base 20 to which the turntable 5 is assembled is swung vertically on the drive base 10. Therefore, unlike with a conventional disk drive, it is not necessary to drive the clamping mechanism (chucking plate) up and down.

[0253] Furthermore, because a single motor (second motor 4) is used to move the optical pickup 6, raise and lower the turntable 5, and transport the disc 9, the disk drive 1 can be operated using a total of two motors, that is, said second motor 4 and a spindle motor (first motor) 3 for rotationally driving the turntable 5. By thus reducing the number of motors used, disk drive 1 construction is simplified, and good operation of the component parts can be more stably maintained.

[0254] According to the above description, not only a mechanism having a basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as the optical pickup 6, the pickup drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism of the turntable 5 or the like, but also the disk loading mechanism for moving the disk 9 between the loading position above the turntable 5 and the unloading position outside of the drive are incorporated in one integral unit and as a result, the disk drive 1 is configured, and the drive power transfer path of the second motor 4 is switched between a path transferring power to the loading drive mechanism and a path transferring power to the pickup drive mechanism.

[0255] However, when the disk loading mechanism is not necessary or the disk loading mechanism is configured as the exterior mechanism, for example, in the case that the disk is set to and ejected from the turntable by hand (for example, in the case of the disk drive of the hop up system or the like) and in the case that the disk loading mechanism is provided as an external mechanism (for example, in the case of the disk drive provided with the changer for treating a plurality of disks), the turntable 5, the first motor 3 (spindle motor) for rotationally driving the turntable, the optical pickup 6, the pickup drive mechanism, and the second motor 4 capable of supplying drive power to the foregoing pickup drive mechanism are mounted on the traverse base 20 to configure a unit body (basic unit), so that, as described above, it is possible to use this basic unit solely (the first usage condition).

[0256] For such usage (the first usage condition), the disk loading mechanism is not necessary, so that the first to third loading gears 62 to 64 of a loading drive gear set 61 and a cam gear 30 are not built on the traverse base 20 and they may be used under the condition shown in FIG. 50. In this case, the second motor 4 is exclusively used as a motor for moving the optical pickup 6.

[0257] In other words, as being obvious from FIG. 49 and FIG. 50, the first to third loading gears 62 to 64 of the loading drive gear set 61 are built by inserting rotating shafts of respective gears 62 to 64 in shaft holes 62 h to 64 h of respective shaft supporting boss portions 62S to 64S, which are disposed on the traverse base 20. The rotating shafts of respective gears 62 to 64 are supported rotatably by the shaft holes 62 h to 64 h of the above-described respective shaft supporting boss portions 62S to 64S.

[0258] Accordingly, for the usage corresponding to the above-described first usage condition, as shown in FIG. 50, the first to third loading gears 62 to 64 of this loading drive gear set 61 may not be built on the traverse base 20. In the case that these gears have been already built there, it is possible to easily detach the loading drive gear set 61 from the traverse base 20 by taking out the rotating shafts of the first to third loading gears 62 to 64 from the shaft holes 62 h to 64 h of respective shaft supporting boss portions 62S to 64S, respectively.

[0259] It is to be noted that the above-described first to third loading gears 62 to 64 of the loading drive gear set 61 correspond to “a gear mechanism (for engaging an additional part unit with the basic unit)”, which is described in the present claims, and the shaft holes 62 h to 64 h of respective shaft supporting boss portions 62S to 64S, which are mounted on the above-described traverse base 20, correspond to “an attachment portion (for attaching a gear mechanism detachably)”, which is described in the present claims.

[0260] In addition, for the usage corresponding to the above-described first usage condition, the disk loading mechanism itself is not necessary, so that a tray 55 and a tray drive gear 56 are not needed to be provided. In the same way, the drive base 10 and the intermediate base 80 are also not necessary, so that these are not required to be built on the traverse base 20 and an additional part required for building them (for example, a positioning rod 75 for positioning the traverse base 20 and the intermediate base 80) are also not necessary. In the same way, a drive power transfer path switching mechanism is also not necessary, so that a trigger lever 71 and a lock lever 73 to be used for the foregoing mechanism are not necessarily attached to the traverse base 20. Further, a part which is rather difficult to attach and detach to and from the traverse base 20 (namely, difficult to retrofit to the basic unit UM) may kept to be attached to the traverse base 20 even in the case of the usage corresponding to the first usage condition.

[0261] Then, an additional part unit is configured by each mechanism and each part, which are not necessary for the usage corresponding to the above-described first usage condition. In other words, this additional part unit is provided with the drive base 10 for supporting the above-described traverse base 20 swingably in a vertical direction through the intermediate base 80, the disk loading mechanism, the loading drive mechanism, the drive power transfer path switching mechanism, and further, more preferably, a disk cramp mechanism. This additional part unit is capable of being easily attached and detached (put on/taken off) to and from the above-described basic unit UM as being obvious from the above-described detailed description of each mechanism and the corresponding drawings.

[0262] The disk drive configured as described above is used as alternatively selecting the first usage condition (see FIG. 50) independently using the above-described basic unit UM and a second usage condition (for example, see FIG. 1) for building this basic unit UM and the above-described additional part unit with each other to be used as one unit body. In other words, such a disk drive can easily choose the usage that a disk is loaded by using the drive power within the drive (the second motor) and the usage that the disk loading is not necessary or the disk is loaded by using the drive power outside of the drive.

[0263] Adopting a production system for producing a disk drive by using the basic unit UM and the additional part units that are configured as described above enables to very effeciently produce various types of optical disk drives having different configurations.

[0264] That is, the above-described basic unit UM and the additional part unit are stocked respectively in advance, and then, the above-described basic unit UM is only supplied from among the stock as the first usage condition in the case of producing the disk drive that the disk loading mechanism is not necessary or the disk loading mechanism is configured as the exterior mechanism such as the drive disk that the disk is set in and/or ejected from the turntable by hand (for example, a hop up type of disk drive) and the disk drive that the disk loading mechanism is configured as the exterior mechanism (for example, the disk drive provided with the changer for treating a plurality of disks).

[0265] On the other hand, as described in detail according to the present embodiment, in the case of producing the disk drive 1 in which not only a mechanism having a basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as the optical pickup 6, the pickup drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism of the turntable 5 or the like but also the disk loading mechanism for moving the disk 9 between the loading position above the turntable 5 and the unloading position outside of the drive are incorporated in one integral unit, as the second usage condition, the basic unit UM and the additional part unit are supplied from the stock and the both of them may be built with each other to configure one unit body.

[0266] By adopting such a production system, upon producing various types of optical disk drives having different configurations, the unit UM (namely, the basic unit) provided with the mechanism having the basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism of the turntable or the like can be used as a unit for providing the basic mechanism to the various types of optical disk drives having different configurations in common with these disk drives. This allows the management of the parts and the management of the units to be simplified as compared to the conventional case, in addition, it is possible to increase the productivity in the assembly process for assembling the disk drive.

[0267] According to the present embodiment, in the first to third loading gears 62 to 64 of the loading drive gear set 61, the rotating shafts are integrally formed with respective gears and respective gears 62 to 64 are built by inserting the rotating shafts of respective gears 62 to 64 in the shaft holes 62 h to 64 h of respective shaft supporting boss portions 62S to 64S, which are disposed on the traverse base 20. However, in place of this, as providing holes at a center portion of the first to third loading gears, supporting shaft portions are disposed at the side of the traverse base, and each loading gear is built on each supporting shaft portion with the center hole of each loading gear fit to each supporting shaft portion, so that the first to third loading gears may be swingably supported by the above-described each supporting shaft portion.

[0268] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the disk 9 is so-called DVD and further, the traverse base 20 is held against the drive base 10 thorough the intermediate base 80 swingably in a vertical direction. However, the present invention is capable of being effectively applied to the both of the case that the traverse base 20 is directly supported against the drive base 10 and the above-described prior art 2 and the case that the disk 9 is so-called CD.

[0269] In this way, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is a matter of course that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms or may be modified in design without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

[0270] As described above, according to the optical disk drive of the first invention of the present application, the basic unit configured as a result that the turntable, the first motor for rotationally driving the turntable, the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism, and the second motor capable of supplying drive power to the foregoing pickup drive mechanism are mounted on the part base is provided with the drive base, the disk loading mechanism, the loading drive mechanism, and the drive power transfer path switching mechanism and an attachment portion for attaching a gear mechanism detachably to engage the additional part unit configured detachably with respect to the above-described basic unit is provided. Therefore, by detaching and attaching the above-described gear mechanism from and to this attachment portion, the usage condition can be alternately selected from among the usage condition independently using the above-described basic unit and the usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other. Accordingly, in the case that the disk loading mechanism is not necessary or the disk loading mechanism is configured as an external mechanism, the optical disk drive may be used only under the usage condition that the above-described additional part unit is not built, and in the case that the disk loading mechanism is required to be incorporated, the optical disk drive may be used under the usage condition that the both units may be built with each other.

[0271] In other words, upon producing various types of optical disk drives having different configurations, it becomes possible to use the above-described basic unit as a unit body that is provided with a mechanism having the basic function for reproducing and/or recording the data signal such as the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism of the turntable or the like in common with various types of optical disk drives, so that it is possible to simplify the management of the parts and the management of the units, and further, to remarkably increase the productivity of in the assembly process for assembling the disk drive.

[0272] In addition, the optical disk drive according to the second invention of the present application, the basic unit configured as a result that the turntable, the first motor for rotationally driving the turntable, the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism, and the second motor capable of supplying drive power to the foregoing pickup drive mechanism are mounted on the part base and the additional part unit configured attachably and detachably with respect to the above-described basic unit, and the usage condition can be alternately selected from among the first usage condition independently using the above-described basic unit and the second usage condition for building the basic unit and the additional part unit with each other. Accordingly, in the case that the disk loading mechanism is not necessary or the disk loading mechanism is configured as an external mechanism, the optical disk drive may be used only under the first usage condition that the above-described additional part unit is not built, and in the case that the disk loading mechanism is required to be incorporated, the optical disk drive may be used under the second usage condition that the both units may be built with each other.

[0273] In other words, upon producing various types of optical disk drives having different configurations, it becomes possible to use the above-described basic unit as a unit body that is provided with a mechanism having the basic function for reproducing and/or recording the data signal such as the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism of the turntable or the like in common with various types of optical disk drives, so that it is possible to simplify the management of the parts and the management of the units, and further, to remarkably increase the productivity of in the assembly process for assembling the disk drive.

[0274] Further, according to the third invention of the present application, basically, it is possible to effect the same advantage as that of the above-described first and second inventions. Particularly, under the usage condition of solely using the above-described basic unit, by rotating one motor (the second motor) in forward and reverse directions, the optical pickup is moved bidirectionally. In addition, under the usage condition that the basic unit and the above-described additional part unit are built with each other, by rotating one motor (the second motor) in a forward direction (a first rotation direction) or its reversed direction continuously, the mobile operation of the optical pickup, the raising and lowering operation of the turntable, and the mobile operation of the disk are substantially continued in this order or they are substantially continued in the reversed direction and in the reversed order, so that upon inserting or ejecting the disk, without moving the disk in the vertical direction, it is possible to avoid the interference with respect to the turntable. Accordingly, as the conventional disk drive, it is not necessary to provide a disk holder for holding up the disk. In addition, by utilizing the operation for moving or rotating the second base attached with the turntable with respect to the first base in the vertical direction, it becomes possible to clamp and unclamp the disk to and from the turntable. Accordingly, as the conventional disk drive, it is not necessary to drive the side of the cramp (the chuck plate) in the vertical direction. In addition, in this case, the mobile operation of the optical pickup, the raising and lowering operation of the turntable, and the mobile operation of the disk are capable of being performed by one motor, so that the disk drive may be operated by two motors, namely, this one motor and the first motor for rotationally driving the turntable. In other words, after decreasing the number of used motors, the configuration of the drive is more simplified and the favorable behavior of each constitutional element is capable of being obtained more stably.

[0275] In addition, according to the fourth invention of the present application, basically, it is possible to effect the same advantage as that of the above-described first to third inventions. Particularly, the feed rack is movable to a specific position farther to the inside circumference side after moving the optical pickup to an inside circumference edge position of the data signal recording area of the optical disk or the feed rack is moved from this specific position to the outside circumference side of the disk, and thereby, the drive power transfer path of the drive power of the second motor is switched. As a result, due to driving of one motor (the second motor), it is possible to carry out the signal reading operation of the optical pickup and switching of the drive power transfer path of the drive power of the second motor in collaboration.

[0276] In addition, further, according to the fifth invention of the present application, basically, it is possible to effect the same advantage as any one of the above-described first to fourth inventions. Particularly, the above-described part base is supported swingably in the vertical direction with respect to the above-described drive base centering on one end side of the part base. Specifically, the drive power is transferred from the loading drive gear set so as to rotate the cam gear, and the other end side of the part base is raised and lowered, thereby, the part base is rotated in the vertical direction with respect to the drive base centering on the one end side thereof. In other words, due to driving of one motor (the second motor), it is possible to carry out the swing operation of the part base in the vertical direction (accordingly, the raising and lowering operation of the turntable) and the mobile operation of the disk in collaboration.

[0277] In addition, further, according to the sixth invention of the present application, basically, it is possible to effect the same advantage as any one of the above-described first to fifth inventions. Particularly, in this case, the intermediate base is swingably supported in the vertical direction with respect to the drive base, and the above-described part base is supported with respect to this intermediate base, so that it is possible to support the swing operation in the vertical direction with respect to the drive base and to support the part base separately. Accordingly, as compared to the prior art (the prior art 2) having no intermediate base, it is possible to raise a degree of freedom for setting an elastic behavior of the supporting portion upon elastically supporting the part base. As a result, it is possible to relatively easily attain the both of the absorption of the oscillation to be inputted from the outside and the controlling of the oscillation to be generated in accordance with the rotation of the turntable.

[0278] Industrial Applicability

[0279] As described above, according to the optical disk drive of the present invention, upon producing various types of optical disk drives having different configurations, a unit body provided with a mechanism having a basic function for reproducing and/or recording a data signal such as the optical pickup, the pickup drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism of the turntable or the like can be used in common with various types of optical disk drives, so that it is possible to simplify the management of the parts and the management of the units, further, it is possible to remarkably improve the productivity in the assembly process for assembling the disk drive. Therefore, the present invention may be preferably applied to an optical disk drive for recording the data signal to the optical disk as a data storage medium, for example, such as so-called CD or so-called DVD or the like and/or for reproducing the recorded data signal. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk drive having a basic unit, which is configured as a result that a turntable for rotatably supporting an optical disk; a first motor for rotationally driving said turntable; an optical pickup for writing a data signal to an optical disk rotating on the turntable and/or reading a data signal recorded to said optical disk; a pickup drive mechanism for moving said optical pickup bidirectionally between the inside circumference side and outside circumference side of said optical disk; and a second motor capable of supplying drive power to said pickup drive mechanism are mounted on a part base; wherein said basic unit includes an attachment portion for detachably attaching a gear mechanism for engaging an additional part unit to said basic unit, and said additional part unit comprises a drive base for supporting said part base movably or swingably in a vertical direction; a disk loading mechanism for moving said optical disk bidirectionally between a first position above the turntable and a second position outside the disk drive; a loading drive mechanism for driving said disk loading mechanism by a drive power of said second motor; and a drive power transfer path switching mechanism for switching a drive power transfer path of said second motor between a path transferring power to said loading drive mechanism and a path transferring power to said pickup drive mechanism.
 2. An optical disk drive having a basic unit, which is configured as a result that a turntable for rotatably supporting an optical disk; a first motor for rotationally driving said turntable; an optical pickup for writing a data signal to an optical disk rotating on the turntable and/or reading a data signal recorded to said optical disk; a pickup drive mechanism for moving said optical pickup bidirectionally between the inside circumference side and outside circumference side of said optical disk; and a second motor capable of supplying drive power to said pickup drive mechanism are mounted on a part base; and an additional part unit, which is configured attachably and detachably with regard to said basic unit, comprising a drive base for supporting said part base movably or swingably in a vertical direction; a disk loading mechanism for moving said optical disk bidirectionally between a first position above the turntable and a second position outside the disk drive; a loading drive mechanism for driving said disk loading mechanism by a drive power of said second motor; and a drive power transfer path switching mechanism for switching a drive power transfer path of said second motor between a path transferring power to said loading drive mechanism and a path transferring power to said pickup drive mechanism; wherein said optical disk drive can alternately select a usage condition from among a first usage condition independently using said basic unit and a second usage condition for building said basic unit and said additional part unit with each other.
 3. An optical disk drive according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said second motor comprises a motor rotatable in forward and reverse directions; under the usage condition that said basic unit is solely used, said optical pickup is driven bidirectionally by rotating said second motor in a first rotation direction and in its reversed direction; and under the usage condition that said basic unit and said additional part unit are built with each other, by continuously rotating said second motor in a first rotation direction, the mobile operation of said optical pickup, the raising and lowering operation of said turntable, and the mobile operation of said optical disk are substantially continued in this order or by continuously rotating said second motor in a direction reversed to said first rotation direction, these respective operations are substantially continued in the reversed direction to the above and in the reversed order to the above.
 4. An optical disk drive according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said pickup drive mechanism comprises a feed rack for moving an optical pickup, and a rack drive gear set comprising a plurality of gears for driving said feed rack, said feed rack being movable to a specific position farther to the inside circumference side after moving the optical pickup to an inside circumference edge position of the data signal recording area of the optical disk, under the usage condition that said basic unit and said additional part unit are built with each other, engaging said drive power transfer path switching mechanism by moving said feed rack to this specific position at the inside circumference side and thereby switching second motor drive power transfer path from a path to the pickup drive mechanism to a path to the loading drive mechanism, and switching said second motor drive power transfer path from a path to the loading drive mechanism to a path to the pickup drive mechanism by moving from said specific position at the inside circumference side to the outside circumference side of the disk and thereby disengaging from the drive power transfer path switching mechanism.
 5. An optical disk drive according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, under the usage condition that said basic unit and said additional part unit are built with each other, said part base is disposed inside an opening in the drive base, and vertically swingably supported around one end thereof relative to the drive base; the drive base comprises thereon a cam gear disposed near an other end side of the part base, said cam gear having on an outside surface thereof a cam channel for raising and lowering said other end of said part base; and said loading drive mechanism comprises a loading drive gear set containing a plurality of gears including a final output gear; said final output gear of the loading drive gear set engaging an outside gear teeth part of the cam gear to rotate said cam gear and thereby raise or lower said other side of the part base.
 6. An optical disk drive according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said part base is vertically swingably supported relative to said drive base through said intermediate base, which is located between said part base and said drive base. 